C-SECTIONS ARE NO JOKE! Here are a few tips that helped me get back on my feet (literally).
**GET UP AND WALK AROUND**
- Easier said than done, I know. I actually needed THREE people to help me walk to the bathroom the day after my c-section. Someone to support me on the left, the right, and someone to push my IV stand. At one point, I actually just sat on my hospital bed crying because I couldn’t even pick up my foot to attempt to move. Which reminds me, DO NOT CRY after a c-section. When you cry, you clench your stomach muscles, which happen to be right around the area you just had intense surgery on. It might have been the worst pain of my entire experience! Although I started with a shuffle (where I moved about 1 inch with each step), the more I walked, the better I felt. There is SO much gas that gets trapped in your belly when you have a c-section that walking around is necessary to get it moving!
**– USE A BLOW DRYER AFTER SHOWERING**
- Showering was somewhat difficult right after my c-section. If you have a detachable shower hose, now would be a great time to use it to gently allow water to clean the area. When I got out of the shower I would lightly air dry my incision with the blow dryer on COOL instead of patting it dry. I would make sure it was completely dry before putting my compression belt or girdle on to avoid any chance of infection.
**INVEST IN A COMPRESSION BELT and/or GIRDLE**
- For the first week, even the thought of something gently touching my incision area made me cringe. I was still in SO much pain. The mesh underwear was the only material allowed to touch my wound! Finally, after about 2 weeks, I was ready to wear this compression belt. To my surprise, I liked wearing it because it offered the the support I needed to better move around. I also liked how I could tighten it and loosen it as the day progressed. I stopped wearing it around 4 weeks at which time I started wearing my Bellefit Girdle (use code christinej20 for $20 off). At 4 weeks PP, I was feeling SO much better and was a lot less sore. The girdle was a lot tighter than the compression belt so at first it was a little uncomfortable. I found the second day wearing it to be a lot easier. Added plus: when you take it off it makes your waste look so much tinier!
**PURCHASE A SCAR ROLLER**
- Did you know you have to massage your incision to break up the scar tissue? OUCH! I had NO idea anything about this. It wasn’t until my 6 week PP visit with my doctor when he informed me of this vital step! I use this roller every night over my scar for about 5 minutes max. I noticed improvement in the puffy area above my incision after I started using it! I didn’t start rolling until about 7 weeks PP, but my doctor assured me I could have started earlier (fyi).
**– USE SCAR AWAY SILICONE STRIPS**
- THESE SCAR AWAY STRIPS HAVE BEEN MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE THINGS EVER! I LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM! Yes, they are pricey, but so worth it. They make my incision feel protected and also smooth out the area so nicely. I have been wearing one everyday for about 2 months and have noticed my scar has lightened slightly. It’s not totally gone, but I can tell the strips are helping. I honestly just love them. They are washable too! You are supposed to wear them for at least 90 days for best results.
**– USE THE HALO BASSINEST FOR BABY SLEEPING!**
- I don’t know what I would have done without this Bassinest! It was PERFECT for grabbing Teddy in the night when I was too sore to get up. The one side retracts downward in order for you to easily access your baby (aka putting the passifier back into his mouth). It also swivels in any direction of your choice. I used to swivel the whole bassinest onto my bed! It’s amazing and we’re still currently using it 4 months later!
Like I said earlier, C-Sections are NO JOKE! You are a BADASS!
